Duck, Dc-9 Cross Paths -- Jet Forced Back To Orlando

A collision with a duck damaged a USAir jet shortly after takeoff from Orlando International Airport on Sunday, but the plane carrying 106 passengers landed safely.

Passenger William Pittenger of Orlando said Flight 78 to Baltimore had been in the air a few minutes when he heard a thump. Pittenger said the pilot announced that a bird had hit the DC-9's nose, damaging the cover of the radar device. The pilot then circled the airport and landed.

Airport officials said the plane had a hole in the front, but the extent of damage was not known. Jerry Smith, air controller supervisor, said the pilot had seen a flock of birds and one of them hit the plane at 3,500 feet.

A USAir official in Washington, D.C., said a duck hit the 2 p.m. flight head-on and damaged the radar covering.

Pittenger, 39, said the airline helped reschedule his flight. Other passengers faced layovers, and USAir booked about 40 passengers overnight at the Sheraton-Orlando International until other flights could be scheduled.

Hotel desk supervisor Jay Colgin said the passengers did not appear too upset and some joked about the collision and the unfortunate bird.

Controller supervisor Smith said birds are a common problem at Orlando International. In 1984 there were 15 collisions with birds out of 184,429 takeoffs and landings, airport statistics show.